Joey Barton to lift the lid on controversial Newcastle United exit in tell-all book out next week

Joey Barton celebrates with fans after the Coca Cola Championship match between Plymouth Argyle and Newcastle United at the Home Park on April 19, 2010 (Image: Ian Horrocks/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Joey Barton will re-open a controversial chapter in Newcastle United’s history next week when his autobiography ‘No Nonsense’ is published.

Barton – who has worked with award-winning writer Michael Calvin on the autobiography – is promising an unflinching look at his career and life and it’s understood that his acrimonious exit from Newcastle features prominently in the tome.

Barton speaks fondly of his time at Newcastle and the supporters, but it will be his insight into exactly what happened during his summer of discontent at St James’ Park that will be the hook for many readers on Tyneside.

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Barton spent time in prison during his spell at Newcastle but was rehabilitated in the eyes of many supporters during the club’s stint in the Championship and first season back in the top flight under Chris Hughton.

However it after Hughton was fired and Newcastle adopted a new approach – selling many of the experienced, vocal professionals who had helped them get back up and going into foreign markets to sign Yohan Cabaye and other French players – that Barton fell out with the club. He was granted a free transfer after Tweeting his discontent with the club and the decision to sell Kevin Nolan, eventually signing for QPR.

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Although he has spoken about it in the past, Barton is understood to go into greater detail about the saga in the book than he has before. With Newcastle currently in the grip of a feelgood factor prompted by Rafa Benitez, it remains to be seen how much appetite there is for re-opening old wounds and feuds, but no doubt there will be interest in the release.

The book is published on September 22 – next Thursday – and Calvin says there is “lots of interest” for Newcastle fans in the book.

Barton said when the book was announced: “I take you inside the dressing room and the prison cell. I give you a firm promise: this is not the usual vanilla-flavoured memoir. It will challenge you, and who knows, it may even change your perception of me.”